Pathways To Success

PATHWAYS To Success – External Employment & Apprenticeships

PATHWAYS To Success is a suite of work development initiatives that train Mission students to learn a new trade or enhance existing skill sets while working on the job. It includes apprenticeships that are internal or external to the Mission and placement with partnership employers. Internal employment placements include our signature programs:

Ready To Work

Ready To Work is a street-cleaning and beautification service provided by formerly homeless and unemployed men and women for five Business Improvement Districts in the city. The 12 to 18 month program provides participants employment and the opportunity to develop and enhance on the job skills. Participants also receive social service support, adult education and employment counseling to prepare them for successful long term employment.

Mission Muffins

Mission Muffins is a bakery run by homeless employees, who bake, market, sell and deliver delicious baked goods. Employees are paid and live at the Mission; they receive training for bakery work and business management. Read More>

Visit our Mission Muffins website to view our menu and order products or download the Mission Muffins Brochure here.

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Culinary Job Training Program

Students can also participate in the Culinary Job Training Program, sponsored in partnership with DC Central Kitchen and United Planning Organization. Graduates gain valuable kitchen skills required for cooking jobs as well as soft skills necessary to be successful in the workplace.

Central Union Mission’s – WDE Department has brokered and secured dedicated employers as partners such as Ingleside at Rock Creek, Clark Construction, Glebe HandyMan, Passport Auto, DC Board of Elections, Joola/North American Table Tennis Association and various other small and local business owners throughout the Metropolitan Washington, DC, area.

Long-Term Self-Sufficiency Placement & Mentoring: Placement opportunities are permanent and 90% are external positions. In a limited number of cases, graduates may secure employment opportunities with Central Union Mission at one of their five facilities. This phase includes onsite employment monitoring visits and onsite partner/Mission/employee 360 Feedback to address successes, concerns and areas for growth.

Ongoing support provides one-on-one counseling and group mentoring focused on workplace issues-conflict resolution/ anger management, team building, communication, work ethics. After men achieve their goals and graduate from our 12-month program, they often face some of their most difficult tests. Over the next six months, as they begin to make the shift toward independence, we offer men the support and structure they need to make a successful transition. Our men use this time to build a solid employment history, attend school, or get vocational training.